As one year ends and another begins we all take some time to think about New Year’s Resolutions, both personal and professional. At the beginning of the year we are pumped and ready to make our resolutions a success. But are we setting ourselves up for success or failure?

In January we start with renewed energy and we make good progress. In February we continue our progress and we are feeling enthusiastic about making our resolutions happen. By March we are starting to feel overwhelmed and the Christmas break seems like a long time ago but we keep trying to work on our resolutions. By April we are caught up in the everyday workings of our business and life and there doesn’t seem to be enough time to think about what we need to do to make our resolution a success. It’s a downward spiral from there…

Which road will we take from here… Success or Failure!

As an example let’s use the typical personal goal of “getting fit and losing weight”. I have set myself this resolution more times that I care to think about. I always start the year with great enthusiasm, I start to exercise and I watch what I eat, this works really well until Australia Day. Then we have the Australia Day celebrations and I think one day off won’t matter and I think I’ve done really well. Then February comes along with a couple of birthday celebrations and I think a little bit of cake is ok and a few glasses of wine to celebrate won’t make a difference, after all I’m doing really well and I deserve a treat. By March I’m tired of exercising, I’m missing my favourite foods and I’m losing motivation. By April I’ve become so busy with work, the family and life in general I’ve forgotten why I set myself this resolution and old habits are creeping in. By May I’ve given up and decide it’s getting too cold to go out and exercise and I’ll start back up when it’s warmer. Resolution – FAIL!

So is it really the best idea to set ourselves a New Year’s Resolution? I don’t think we set ourselves up for success I believe we set ourselves up to fail when we decide on resolutions at the beginning of the year. We would be in a much better position to succeed if we simply set ourselves new goals for the year and created a plan to reach those goals. The problem with resolutions is we don’t make a plan!

As the old saying goes:

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

— Benjamin Franklin

If you have decided on a New Year’s Resolution then I suggest you stop and take some time to create a plan on how you will achieve that resolution. Turn it into a goal! Break your plan down into small achievable goals, these small steps will lead you to the bigger goal and help you succeed.

Remember that you don’t have to achieve all of your goals on your own. Support is always available, you only have to reach out and ask.

What are your goals for this year? Will you ask for support to help you succeed in your plan and reach your goals? If you need business support to make your business goals a success, ask us how we can help you make those goals and resolutions a reality! Contact us today to discuss your goals.

Businesses realise that outsourcing is a key step in growth but business owners are hesitant to start the outsourcing process. Where to start? What to outsource? How to find the right people to work with? These are the initial thoughts when someone mentions outsourcing. But when you take the time to think about the process and then commence your outsourcing journey you will wonder why you didn’t start the process sooner.

Let’s look at some of the excuses that people find not to outsource.

As a business owner you start out wearing many different hats, trying to do everything yourself which ends up being one of the biggest headaches for you and your business. When I talk to people about why they hesitate to outsource to a virtual assistant, the common phrases I hear are -

“It’s easier to do it myself”

“I don’t have the time to teach a Virtual Assistant how to do it”

“It’s costing me money to outsource to a VA when I can do it myself”

“What needs to happen is all in my head and no one else knows what needs to be done”

While these all seem reasonable, let’s have a closer look at what is holding you back from outsourcing to a virtual assistant.

It’s easier to do it myself

You may know how you want something done but is it the best way to do it? Bringing in someone who knows how to do that task (even if it isn’t exactly how you would do it) will free up your time so that you can do what you do best in your business. Your tasks will still be completed, possibly more efficiently, and you don’t have to focus on things that you are not a specialist in.

I don’t have the time to teach a Virtual Assistant how to do it!

If you are spending more time doing the administrative tasks in your business then you are taking time away from the core reason you started your business. Is that the best use of your time? Taking the time to show someone what needs to be done will save you time in the long run giving you time to go back to doing what you really enjoy doing and grow your business in the process.

It’s costing me money to outsource to a VA when I can do it myself

You could do it yourself and outsourcing will cost you money BUT if you stop to think about how much you are earning per hour and then you factor in what it would cost you per hour to outsource to a virtual assistant then you will realise that you are actually saving money. It might take you twice as long to complete a task that a virtual assistant can complete quickly and efficiently saving you both time and money.

What needs to happen is all in my head and no one else knows what needs to be done

If you have plans on growing your business then the first thing you need to do is get it out of your head and on to paper. It’s time for some procedures and systems. If it’s all in your head then it’s easy to forget something. This is how things slip through the cracks. It could take some time to put your processes and systems together but consider asking a virtual assistant to put these in place for you and they will probably give you suggestions on how things could be streamlined and what the most efficient system would be for your business. You’ll wonder how you managed to get things done before you had systems in place.

All of these reasons seem perfectly reasonable until you stop and consider the consequences. They are all taking you time and energy that you don’t have to spare. If you are working 24 hours a day, thinking about all the things you need to get done then it’s time to get some help.

Having the support of a virtual team will give you the opportunity to grow and flourish!

There are different types of virtual assistants that can help you gain back your valuable time so that you can focus on what you do best in your business. Why not consider a specialist virtual assistant for your social media, bookkeeping, diary management, transcription work, organising your next product launch or conference.

These are just examples of the types of things you can outsource but if you still aren’t sure what types of tasks you can outsource check out this free guide!

As a business owner I consider my time valuable, as I’m sure you do. But it’s really upsetting to see different people think their time is more valuable than others. Why is that? I ask this question because recently I’ve heard a few stories about people missing meetings, not joining scheduled video calls or conference calls and I had an experience of my own which made me wonder what makes some people think their time is more important than others.

Let me share my experience with you.

Recently, I scheduled a time to talk to a business owner to see how I could help them after they reached out to me. I tried to call at the agreed time to find that they were tied up with other work. No problem, I’m happy to reschedule so I set up another time later in the day that would suit them. I proceeded to reorganise my day and my other client work to fit in the second call. Again, I call at the agreed time, to find that there is no answer. I leave a voicemail message and follow up with an email to ensure that they know that I have made contact and I’m happy to reschedule. Later that day I received a message asking if we could reschedule for after hours as they were having a very busy day.

I’ve already rescheduled my day to fit in with this client but I agree to set up a time that is out of hours that cuts into my family time… after all I’m trying to work out how I can help them. When I call at the agreed time I find that there is no answer. I leave a voicemail message and follow up with an email suggesting that maybe the client should call me when it is more convenient. I’m not surprised to find that they don’t call me back.

So why was my time less valuable than theirs? I spent the better part of the day rescheduling my work to accommodate them but there didn’t seem to be any respect of my time.

People seem to think that as a virtual assistant I’m “just an administrator” so my time isn’t important but as a business owner my time is as important as any other business owner. We all agree that time is money and that fact impacts every business. All business owners should be respected and their time equally respected.

It is fascinating to find that one person will think their time is more valuable than someone else’s time. Why is that the case?

Regardless of who you are or what position you hold, everyone’s time is important.

I know that we are all busy and some people are time poor but communication and a little respect goes a long way to ensuring good working relationships with others. It doesn’t take long to send a quick email or text message to acknowledge that you are late, maybe apologise for not being able to be there. Following up after you have missed a scheduled meeting or call just shows that you respect that person’s time.

Communication and respect are a must for any business, especially if you are in the service industry. As a remote worker in the virtual world, communication is one of the most important things in my business and respecting other business owners is a must.

How many times has someone missed a scheduled call or meeting with you? Did they follow up? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Don’t miss a meeting and then ignore it because their time matters too!

Working from an office or working at your favourite cafe? Not really a hard choice... I'll take my view of the beach and fresh air over a corporate office any day. But this isn't the only reason that working virtually has become one of the most popular ways to work. Here are my top 3 reasons why working virtually is beneficial and a key to the success of your business.

The continuing advancement in technology and the opportunity of working from home has allowed entrepreneurs and business owners to think about starting their business virtually or employing people who can work virtually. Working from home, out of the local coffee shop or at the library is now a real possibility and becoming more and more common.

So why are people taking advantage of this growing trend? Why are more and more entrepreneurs and business owners working virtually and creating virtual teams?

Here are the top 3 reasons that working virtually is becoming more popular and can be a key to a successful business.

1. Let's Talk Money!

Running a small businesses can be very costly especially when you factor in rent for office space, office equipment and staff, all before you have even considered the cost of your product or service, insurance, registration and other business costs. Without the cost of office space you have instantly saved yourself rent money. The cost of permanent employees and the extra costs of superannuation, holiday leave, sick leave etc can be draining on your business. Having virtual workers means you are only paying for the job they are doing and you have none of the additional costs. Giving you more value for money and a cost saving to your business.

2. Have Specialists In Your Team!

When you hire permanent staff you will often hire people who will do more than one role to try and cover different tasks without the added costs of extra employees. However, quite often they only specialise in one area and have more generalised skills. In having a virtual team you are able to have specialist in every area of your business. You can have an accounting specialist, social media expert, reception specialist, HR specialists, marketing expert and an administrative expert.

3. Flexibility

Being tied to a desk can be hard but working virtually means that you can take your office with you. There are days when you need to travel and this means no wasted time as you can take your office with you. Having a meeting at the local café can be a more relaxed environment creating a more productive meeting. Instead of having standard working hours, working remotely means you can work around your personal commitments, you can watch your child receive an award at school, make that doctor’s appointment and all the other things that come up. Work can be fitted in around these activities giving you the flexibility you need.

The virtual industry is a growing industry and you can find specialist in many areas. Virtual assistants often specialise in different areas such as social media, bookkeeping, copywriting or executive assistance so the talent in the virtual industry is amazing and well worth looking at for your business.

So if you are looking for a positive change to your business, think outside the box and outside the office! Build your virtual team and keep them motivated with the opportunity of working from their chosen location while you reap the benefits of having the flexibility and cost savings to ensure the success of your business.

Our relocation out of Sydney is complete. The office is all set up and it feels great. However, you always learn or are reminded of something when you move. One of the things that hit me hard was the need to declutter, clean out and set up to be the most efficient I could be. I thought I’d share some of my experience to help you think about how well set up your office may be and whether it’s time to clean out and start fresh by going paperless.

One of the first things I had to do before packing up the office was go through each file and each piece of paper and ask myself some questions.

- Do I really need to keep that document? - Can I scan it and keep it electronically instead of a hard copy? - Why am I holding on to that file? - I have an electronic copy of that document, why am I keeping the physical copy?

As I worked through the pile of papers I realised that I was hanging on to stuff that I don’t really need. Most things have been scanned, saved and kept electronically. It was time to clean out and create a better paperless system. I painstakingly worked through every paper, file and document to ensure that I had an electronic copy saved and then the shredder got a great workout with what was left.

So I ask this question of you - is it time to have a paperless office? The answer clearly is – YES!

Time to set up your electronic filing

There is no need to keep the physical copy of a receipt when you can keep an electronic copy. All of your business documents can be kept electronically and will be within easy reach and accessible from different devices. You can store your files in the cloud and access from your laptop, your phone or your iPad making it accessible and a more flexible option than a physical copy.

If you think… I’ll do it when I have to or when I move – DON’T! Waiting until you have to do it and you don’t really have time to sort through the papers is a mistake. Start now and sort through a small pile at a time, breaking it up into smaller portions makes the task a lot less overwhelming. Tackling the job in smaller blocks of time will give you a sense of accomplishment as you find more and more space. When you clear the paperwork off your desk you will find your mind feels free to be more productive and creative.

I’m happy to say that my files are stored safely and securely in an electronic format and it’s nice to have space on the desk again. It is easy to let this slip and hold on to the odd piece of paper until it starts to pile up again so be diligent and spend 15 - 20 minutes a week making sure that your documents are scanned and saved so that the paperwork doesn’t build up again.

If you know someone that needs a reminder about why they should be decluttering and converting to a paperless office, feel free to share this article with them. It might just be what they need to get started.

If you need help setting up your new electronic filing, contact PA Excellence to find out how we can help.

Is a transcription service something you can benefit from in your business? Businesses underestimate the value that a transcription service can provide. If you spend time typing with 2 fingers then it's time to consider a transcription service. Here are 6 simple ways that this type of service can work for you, saving you time and making your business more productive.

The importance of security can not be overlooked. Anyone can be hacked, even you! This is an issue that is becoming more and more common. Here are 5 things you can do to ensure that you are protected and not the victim of being hacked. If you are unlucky enough to be hacked, here is your checklist of what to do.

Organising an event can be stressful, there is so much to do, so I thought I would share some tips that will help you through this process. You know why you are hosting your event but what are the main areas that you need to think about and decide upon before booking the venue and inviting the guests?

Here are some things to think about when organising an event to ensure that you have your bases covered.

Working with a Virtual Assistant (also known as a VA) for the first time can be a little daunting. You might be thinking "I know I need help but I just don't know where to start." Don't worry, this is common.

PA Excellence has put some tips together to help you create a a successful working relationship with your virtual assistant, which means you will be more productive and able to focus on what you do best in your business, while your virtual assistant looks after the rest.

How do we boost our productivity and go to bed with the satisfaction of knowing we've made the best, most efficient use of our time? Most people talk about being productive but struggle with putting it into practice.

Here are 5 tips that have worked for me; tips that have helped boost my daily productivity by miles and that I'm sure are going to do wonders for you too.

The paperless office is a concept that has captured the imagination of many professionals whose desks are covered in clutter. The frustration of a cluttered desk can distract you and leave you feeling flat. Some years ago the idea of the paperless office was looked upon as a solution to a cluttered office. The concept of a paperless or digital office is one of the newer, less understood methods of drastically increasing organisation, office efficiency and reducing costs.

Outsourcing is the best way to ensure that you have a team of experts working on your business, while you focus on what you do best. Depending on the type of task you need assistance with, will determine who you are outsourcing to. It may be a virtual assistant, bookkeeper, graphic designer, social media manager, copywriter or website creator. Regardless of who you are outsourcing to the mistakes to avoid are the same.

How much time are you spending running your law practice rather than practising law? As a solo practitioner or a partner in a small law firm you will spend hours and hours attending to the business side of your practice. Some of those things will include scheduling and rescheduling apppointments, setting up client files, marketing your practice, social media, handling IT issues, invoicing and whole lot more. There is a cost effective solution that will get you back to practising law - a Legal Virtual Assistant!

As an introvert, it is a scary thought to attend any type of event - whether it’s a networking event, a conference or a local business meeting. The idea of going out and telling people what you do might make you break out in a cold sweat. No matter how scary the thought is, it is something that you need to do. When you are trying to build your brand and your business, it is an essential strategy for your business plan so this is something that you need to learn how to overcome.

Is planning and scheduling your time worthwhile? Most definitely, without a plan you probably won't achieve what you want to and you will spend too much time trying to work out what needs to be done instead of getting it done.

A Plan Can Be As Simple Or As Complex As You Want It To Be

The 1st step is to think about what you want to achieve. Think about what you need to do and what your timeframe is. Once you have this basic information you can start to formulate a plan.

No branding, no differentiation. No differentiation, no long-term profitability. People don’t have relationships with products or services, they are loyal to brands. If you want to attract and keep loyal clients you must build your know, like and trust factor through your brand.

Your Business Brand is a critical part of your marketing mix and done well will shout out to the marketplace at every touch point so that your potential clients get a real feel for who you are and what you are about.

When we see paperwork on our desk we are reminded that it might be time to clean up and get organised but we don’t seem to notice our electronic files in the same way. That doesn’t mean that they should be neglected! On the contrary, if you have files saved all over the place on your computer, in the cloud or on an external hard drive then it is just like having paperwork all over your desk, it’s messy, unorganised and chaotic!

Social media is open every day of the week and affords you the opportunity of promoting your brand to the global market. However, due to other core and pressing organisational functions, you may not have the luxury of time to manage a social media campaign by yourself. Therefore... the service of a virtual assistant will go a long way to increasing your social media reach.

Many people give the excuse that a messy desk is a symbol of originality and imagination. The reality is that they are disorganised and this is evident when looking at their workspace. A clean desk makes you feel energized and on top of things. Managing your desk means you are creating an appealing workspace, allowing productivity to follow. A messy and cluttered desk keeps you distracted and preoccupied while you try and find things.

How often have you printed something more than once because you couldn't find the first copy you printed?

PA Excellence

PA Excellence is a virtual assistant solution for your business administration, secretarial and event management needs. We are passionate about helping people reach their business goals by providing them with the support they need. We specialise in helping people in the legal industry as well as small to medium corporate companies. Supporting your business when you need it without the extra costs.